Experts expected the divorce rate to skyrocket during the pandemic – but the experts were wrong. New data from the American Community Survey says that for every 1,000 marriages in the last year, only 14.9 ended in divorce – the lowest rate we have seen in 50 years. Google trends also say that searches for the phrase, ‘I want a divorce’ rose by over 230% in the first week of January.
So, what does this mean – and why do divorce experts often call January Divorce Month? In fact, a recent New York Times article said “March and August are actually the months when it’s more common for couples to split.”
New Year, Divorced You
Get a divorce is #1 on many New Year Resolutions lists. Couples undergoing marital stress during the Christmas holidays – family obligations, expensive gifts and celebrations, high workloads and kids on a school holiday -not to mention a global pandemic – often promise to get through the holiday for the sake of the family. Once the holidays are over, couples often slowly exhale, and decide to initiate divorce proceedings in January. When setting goals, the new year seems like the perfect time to end a bad marriage and get a fresh start.
The first Monday back at work after the holiday season is known as Divorce Day. People are exhausted and don’t want to continue their same bad patterns. While many people have made the decision to divorce prior to the hospitals, sometimes the holidays are the last straw that leads to the decision to divorce.
How to Know Divorce Is Right For You
Whatever the month, the decision to divorce is personal and made for many different reasons. Many times, the decision is made on the spur of the moment out of frustration or anger, and no action is taken. Other couples realize they want to save their marriage and make decisions to improve their situation such as counseling or making relationship changes. And for others, they remain steadfast in their decision to divorce and consult an attorney.
Accurate information about family law, divorce, laws and unique case precedents in your state, is vital information you need before deciding to divorce your spouse. If you are considering ending your marriage, you should consult a New Jersey attorney before you decide to divorce.
A Divorce Consultation Can Help You Understand Your Situation
There are many benefits to consulting an attorney for divorce before you make the decision to divorce. During a pre-divorce consultation, an attorney can assess your situation, explain the divorce process to you and give you impartial advice on your case. At this point, you have not hired a lawyer for divorce: this is a consultation to understand your legal situation in the event you do decide to divorce in the future.
Watch: Attorney Abigale M. Stolfe of Stolfe Zeigler New Jersey Law Group explains what is covered in an initial divorce consultation.
#ProtectWhatMattersMost With A Divorce Consultation
Stolfe Zeigler is a firm serving all of New Jersey. Founding partners Abigale M. Stolfe and Sonya K. Zeigler are skilled attorneys and are well-equipped to help individuals navigate the complex family legal system of divorce, child custody, and property distribution. The legal team at Stolfe Zeigler is committed to securing a bright future for the clients and families they serve, through guided insight and zealous advocacy, and fighting to protect what they have worked so hard to earn.
Contact our attorneys at Stolfe Zeigler today at 732-240-9555 to get started with a pre-divorce consultation.
